Story Highlights

Marion Bartoli spent most of her 28 years fighting to get to the top of the tennis world. Then, one month after ascending there with a victory at Wimbledon, the French tennis star decided to walk away.

The reigning Wimbledon champion made the stunning announcement that she's retiring from the sport following a loss to Simona Halep at the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.

"It's never easy, and obviously there is never a time to say it or whatever, but that was actually the last match of my career," she told news reporters Wednesday night.

Bartoli said it was a tough decision that didn't come easily. The Frenchwoman, who is known for her on-court quirks like running in place and furiously practicing groundstrokes, said she's been experiencing pain on the court and that her body wouldn't allow her to continue.

When asked why she'd leave now, six weeks after winning her first Grand Slam and matching her highest WTA ranking at No. 7, Bartoli said, "I felt I just couldn't do this anymore."